Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
After returning last autumn from a hiatus from both the studio and the stage, the band Dirt dropped their new single “Sunder” back in April. The track offered an interesting glimpse into the sonic world of their upcoming album, a record they have been crafting over the last few years.
To celebrate this new chapter, the band returned to Helsinki’s legendary Tavastia club, on July 11th, for a special and highly anticipated show. Sharing the stage with them were melodic death metal heavyweights I Am Your God. Here is how the night unfolded.
Kicking off their summer run of shows—properly dubbed “Godsummer” — the band I Am Your God served as the perfect explosive opener for Dirt. Having just witnessed them headline Tiivistämö in Helsinki back in May, I have to admit that my expectations were high. They absolutely ruled the night back then, but somehow, up on the Tavastia stage, the band sounded even heavier, tighter, and more aggressive.
Hailing from Lapland in northern Finland, the band was formed in 2018 by a group of friends: Julius (vocals), Atte (drums), Matti (guitar), Joonas R (bass), and Joonas E (guitar). Their sound is a devastating blend of modern metal heavily influenced by traditional heavy metal, melodic death metal, and metalcore, delivered with massive weight.
Frontman Julius possesses an incredible, commanding stage presence, though the musical synergy of the entire lineup is undeniable. Their setlist leaned heavily on their latest releases, with one highlight being “Believe Again.” Before launching into this track, Julius engaged the Tavastia crowd by getting everyone to rehearse the song’s chorus, creating a moment of unity before the heavy riffs dropped.
As the headliners of the night, Dirt took the stage to a crushing, guitar-driven intro that immediately locked the crowd in, transitioning seamlessly into the heavy-hitting anthems “Born Again” and “Low Life.”
The quintet—comprising Sebastian Frigren (guitar), Alex Anttila (drums), Kappe Koutonen (guitar), Aleksi Tiainen (vocals), and Benny Raivio (bass/vocals)—delivered a masterclass in grunge-tinted hard rock. Dirt impressed the audience not only with their great musical execution but also with their stage presence and genuine charisma. From the die-hard fans up front to the more casual listeners in the back, the venue was packed with smiling faces, all feeding off the band’s immense energy.
The peak of the night’s energy came when frontman Aleksi Tiainen decided the stage wasn’t close enough to the action. He leapt down into the crowd, joining a frantic mosh pit while continuing to deliver flawless vocals without missing a single beat.
The setlist also treated fans to some massive surprises, including “Feet Don’t Fail Me” (first time played live), followed by “Deadbeat” (a track composed and sung by bassist Benny). By the time the band reached the end of their set, the Tavastia crowd was completely captivated. Dirt delivered a phenomenal grand finale with “Cold Sweat” and “God Has Cut You Down,” closing out the night with great style, heavy riffs, and absolute rock ‘n’ roll attitude.
Setlist:
